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Sounds cool, it'd probably be better to come in the spring though. It'll be a lot warmer and there will be more things to do. It'll be no fun walking around the national mall in freezing temperatures all day.
For shopping go to Georgetown or Pentagon City
-Restaurants/Bars: Gallery Place, Logan Circle, Adams Morgan, Georgetown, K street, Dupont Circle, U street, Columbia Heights, Penn Quarter, Eastern Market/Barracks Row
-Sightseeing/Family attractions: National Mall (includes US capitol, Lincoln Memorial, Museums, Washington Monument, WWII memorial, etcc), White House, National Zoo, National Aquarium, International Spy Museum, Verizon Center (NBA/NHL/Women's Basketball/Concerts), Lincoln Theater, Ford Theater, Kennedy Center.
The best way to travel around D.C. and the rest of the region is Metro (the subway or bus). Parking can be a big hassle in D.C. and we we're ranked #1 for having the worst traffic.
The prettiest time to come is the early spring ~early April when the cherry blossoms are out. Stay downtown or at least near a metro stop as downtown DC is difficult to navigate with a car and great via Metro. The Smithsonian Museums are world class, pick you particular interests and go -- Air & Space, Natural History, etc.
On the other hand - There are less lines and the off-season prices are lower. Washington is nice in the spring, but there are so many more tourists, and it can get humid, and the blossoms equal allergies to some. Since you're from NYC and it's sooo cold there now. You may appreciate visiting Washington DC this time of year since it's slightly warmer and not as much snow at this point.
Would DC make a good destination for a short city vacation? 3-4 nights.
Couple with young child from NYC.
(We have already been to most major spots in the US in case you wonder)
We're thinking Sightseeing, Shopping, Family friendly attractions and restaurants.
What do you think?
NYC has everything that DC has but better. Why? I hope you went to every museum and landmarks in NYC and got sick of going to each one for the fifth time so you want to visit DC.
Go to the coast of NC. I promise you this, if I can't promise anything else in my life, that it's life altering. I'm not from NC, but everytime I get a chance, I drive over. Especially with a kid. Even an evil kid.
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
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Definitely wait til warmer weather happens. DC is a great place to visit. While I absolutely hated living there (Northern VA), I hope to make a visit back this summer. There is plenty to do in DC. You won't be bored. At least when I find myself getting frustrated with the bad aspects of the DC area, I can take solace that I get to go back to Louisville.
Second what Crown Vic said. Tip to get into the White House: call you Senator/Representative's office. They'll get you tickets (though you probably need to call 6+ weeks in advance since a background check is necessary). Additionally your Senator's office can provide you with tours of the capitol buildings and tickets to the Senate and House viewing galleries, if you feel so inclined. Or you could get professional tours from the Capitol Building paid staff (as opposed to from a senate intern).
For Smithsonians, Air and Space and Natural History are generally considered the best (I haven't been to all of them, but from my experience I'd agree). And go to the Zoo. It's free, and pretty awesome. Especially for kids.
If you've never seen the historic monuments, it's worth a visit. But being from NYC, you'll probably find much of the rest of DC unremarkable. DC has its strengths, but it's not what I see as a vacation city, beyond the monuments. If you do come, visit Alexandria. It's a historical oasis, in the city, and has more character, IMO, than Georgetown.
Our thanks to the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce for that short commercial message. The Bronx feels the same way about Manhattan.
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